Walsh, the sprawling west Fort Worth development that launched last year, is pushing ahead this year with the additions of key amenities, including two pools opening in time for the summer.
About 170 homes are under development, or completed, including ones purchased by more than 50 families who"ve already moved in, Bexie Nobles, director of community relations for Republic Property Group, the Dallas developer in partnership with Fort Worth's Walsh family in development of their former ranch. By the year's end, the developers expect as many as 200 of the 547 production lots will be spoken for by buyers, Nobles said.
The Aledo Independent School District's Mary D. and F. Howard Walsh Elementary School opened for this school year in the development. Republic is lining up custom builders for 40 luxury custom lots. Custom builders already approved: John Askew Custom Homes; Glendarroch Homes; HGC; Sean Knight Custom Homes; MK Homes; Parkhill Homes; and Village Homes.
The development has opened a co-working building – currently doubling as the marketing center – that resident entrepreneurs, freelancers, and innovators can use. The development also opened a 10,000-square-foot fitness center with movement studio, cardio and FreeMotion weight equipment, locker rooms and kids club. It will also have access to a planned junior Olympic pool.
The fitness center, drawing inspiration from antique fruit storage buildings in Europe, has arched windows and vaulted ceilings. An electrostatic glass separates the main gym from the movement studio and can be darkened by a switch, so residents can spin, stretch and do cardio in privacy.
In May, Walsh is opening a maker space building, with a Lego wall and tools such as 3-D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines, and a wood shop. Walsh plans to sponsor the construction of a "Founders Fort" for children on the property, and families will use the wood shop to build the fort. "The kids will get to create something and build it," she said.
Last year, Walsh opened a Village Market that sells basic grocery items; breads, salads and pastries from the Black Rooster Bakery; and tacos from Fort Worth's Taco Heads restaurant on two days of the week. The market and coworking space also serve as a private club under Texas – that portion of the area is dry – that is able to sell beer and wine. "We had to find a platform until we could have an election," Nobles said.
This summer, Walsh is opening a resort pool, with beach entry, shade structures, swim-up island, water slides, shaded baby pool, cabanas and sun deck. It's also simultaneously opening a junior Olympic pool. The two pools will be separated by a sand volleyball court.
Also opened this year: a Theater Park & Imagination Playground. The heart of the park is a musical playground with jungle gym "accented by interactive Easter Eggs that unlock surprises such as musical instruments buried within the play structures." The playground includes an in-ground slide, 100-foot zip line, and play engineering center where kids can build structures from giant foam blocks. The park is one of three in the development's master plan, and it includes a public restroom.